Proverbs 28
28
1 The wicked flee, but no one pursues,
but the righteous is bold like a lion.
2By the rebellion of a land, her rulers increase,
but by a person of intelligence who knows justice, it will last.
3A man who is poor and oppresses the impoverished
is a beating rain that leaves#Literally “and there is” no food.
4Those who forsake instruction will praise the wicked,
but they who guard instruction will struggle against them.
5Men of evil do not understand justice,
but seekers of Yahweh understand completely.#Or “everything”
6Better to be poor and walking in one’s integrity
than to be crooked of ways when one is rich.
7He who keeps instruction is a child of understanding,
but the companion of gluttons will shame his father.
8He who augments his wealth with interest and with usury
gathers it for him who is kind to the poor.
9He who turns his ear from listening to instruction,
even his prayer is an abomination.
10He who misleads the upright onto the way of evil,
into his pits he will fall.
But as for the blameless, they will inherit good.
11A man of wealth is wise in his own eyes,
but the intelligent poor sees through him.
12When the righteous triumphs, great is the glory,
but with the rising of the wicked, a person will be hidden.
13He who conceals his transgression will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes will obtain mercy.
14Happy is the person who fears continuously,
but he who is stubborn of heart,#Or “mind” will fall into calamity.
15Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16A ruler who lacks understanding is#Hebrew “and” a cruel oppressor,
but those who hate unjust gain will have long#Or “prolong” days.
17A person who is burdened with the blood of another,#Literally “life”
until death he will flee;
do not take hold of him.
18He who walks in integrity will be safe,
but he who takes crooked paths will fall in one.
19He who tills his ground will have plenty bread,
but he who follows fantasies will have plenty of poverty.
20A man of faithfulness has abundant blessings,
but he who hurries to become rich will not go unpunished.
21Showing partiality#Literally “Recognizing faces” is not good,
and over a morsel of bread, a strong man will do wrong.
22He who hurries for wealth is a man with an evil eye,#Literally “a man of evil of eye”
but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23He who rebukes a person will afterward find more favor
than he who flatters with the tongue.
24He who robs his father and his mother and says, “There is no crime,”
is partner to a man who corrupts.
25The greedy person#Literally “wide soul” will stir up strife,
but he who trusts in Yahweh will be enriched.
26He who trusts in his own heart#Or “mind,” or “sense” is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be saved.
27For he who gives to the poor, there is no lacking,
but for he#Hebrew “those” who turns his eyes, there are many curses.
28With the rising of the wicked, humankind will be hidden,
and with their perishing, the righteous will multiply.
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Proverbs 28
28
The Law of God Makes Sense
1Wicked people run away
when no one chases them,
but those who live right
are as brave as lions.
2In time of civil war
there are many leaders,
but a sensible leader
restores law and order.#28.2 but … order: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
3When someone poor takes over
and mistreats the poor,
it's like a heavy rain
destroying the crops.
4Lawbreakers praise criminals,
but law-abiding citizens
always oppose them.
5Criminals don't know
what justice means,
but all who respect the Lord
understand it completely.
6It's better to be poor
and live right,
than to be rich
and dishonest.
7It makes good sense
to obey the Law of God,
but you disgrace your parents
if you make friends
with worthless nobodies.
8If you make money by charging
high interest rates,
you will lose it all to someone
who cares for the poor.
9God cannot stand the prayers
of anyone who disobeys
his Law.
10By leading good people to sin,
you dig a pit for yourself,
but all who live right
will have a bright future.
11The rich think highly
of themselves,
but anyone poor and sensible
sees right through them.
12When an honest person wins,
it's time to celebrate;
when crooks are in control,
it's best to hide.
13If you don't confess your sins,
you will be a failure.
But God will be merciful
if you confess your sins
and give them up.
14The Lord blesses everyone
who is afraid to do evil,
but if you are cruel,
you will end up in trouble.
15A ruler who mistreats the poor
is like a roaring lion
or a bear hunting for food.
16A heartless leader is a fool,
but anyone who refuses
to get rich by cheating others
will live a long time.
17Don't give help to murderers!
Make them stay on the run
for as long as they live.#28.17 live: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 17.
18Honesty will keep you safe,
but everyone who is crooked
will suddenly fall.
19Work hard, and you will have
a lot of food;
waste time, and you will have
a lot of trouble.
20God blesses his loyal people,
but punishes all who want
to get rich quick.
21It isn't right to be unfair,
but some people can be bribed
with only a piece of bread.
22Don't be selfish
and eager to get rich—
you will end up worse off
than you can imagine.
23Honest correction
is appreciated
more than flattery.
24If you cheat your parents
and don't think it's wrong,
you are a common thief.
25Selfish people cause trouble,
but you will live a full life
if you trust the Lord.
26Only fools would trust
what they alone think,
but if you live by wisdom,
you will do all right.
27Giving to the poor
will keep you from poverty,
but if you close your eyes
to their needs,
everyone will curse you.
28When crooks are in control,
everyone tries to hide,
but when they lose power,
good people are everywhere.
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